'Kielbasa’ is the Polish word for ‘sausage,’ and you can find it at a nearby international delicatessen. Not only is this specialty meat a classic Polish staple, but it has a rich history. If you want to add the sausage to upcoming meals but don’t know much about it, review the following guide. 

What Are Its Origins?

‘Kielbasa’ is believed to come from ‘klbasa,’ an old Slavonic word. However, the Turkish words ‘kol basa’ and ‘külbastí’, which mean 'hand-pressed' and ‘grilled roast,’ are also considered influences. The history of kielbasa, in general, is extensive; mentions of encased, ground pork meat date back to the 8th century B.C.E. Sausage is also discussed briefly in Homer’s Odyssey and was consumed by Romans who created the meat using eggs, animal brains, pine nuts, and spurge, which is a type of flowering weed. 

The royal Polish court began producing kielbasa in the 14th century and encouraged hunting throughout the year, so specialty meats were always available for dinner. In addition, both merchants and knights attached the sausage to their belts for sustenance on long journeys, as hog casings made the meat easily portable. Today, over 100 varieties of kielbasa are available in delicatessens worldwide, including those made with various spices and herbs. 

How Is It Made?

Creating kielbasa requires grinding the selected meat with fat using a grinding chute, then mixing in spices like salt, pepper, juniper, nutmeg, marjoram, and garlic. After the meat gets stuffed into a hog or artificial casing with a sausage stuffer device, it undergoes smoking and drying processes. 

Smoking typically occurs for one and a half days to retain flavors, while drying prevents the meat from spoiling. Some kielbasa products are raw and therefore undergo one round of smoking. On the other hand, some are semi-dried due to parboiling processes. Either way, kielbasa is delicious in a sandwich or a stir-fry. 

If you want to enjoy some kielbasa, turn to JJ International Delicatessen. This international market and sandwich shop offers specialty meats to customers throughout Port Jervis, NY. The locally-owned deli has served the region since 2003, offering a wide variety of European foods you won’t find elsewhere. Call (845) 858-1142 to place an order, or visit them online to review the menu.